Rices Landing, Pennsylvania

Rices Landing
Borough
Former foundry in Rices Landing
Location of Rices Landing in Greene County Location of Rices Landing in Greene County
Rices Landing Location of Rices Landing in Pennsylvania
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Greene
Established	1903
Government
• Mayor	Ryan T Belski (Preceded by Brad Kline).
Area
• Total	0.9 sq mi (2 km2)
• Land	0.8 sq mi (2 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Population (2010)
• Total	463
• Density	510/sq mi (200/km2)
Time zone	EST (UTC-4)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-5)
Area code(s)	724

Rices Landing is a borough in Greene County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 463 at the 2010 census.

Geography

Rices Landing is located at (39.946282, -79.993295).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) of it (13.48%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	116		—
1910	671		—
1920	883		31.6%
1930	977		10.6%
1940	962		−1.5%
1950	796		−17.3%
1960	693		−12.9%
1970	473		−31.7%
1980	516		9.1%
1990	457		−11.4%
2000	443		−3.1%
2010	463		4.5%
Est. 2014	449		−3.0%
Sources:

As of the census of 2010, there were 463 people, 179 households, and 126 families residing in the borough. The population density was 574.8 people per square mile (222.1/km²). There were 190 housing units at an average density of 246.5 per square mile (95.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.42% White, 0.68% African American, and 0.90% from two or more races.

There were 179 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $34,306, and the median income for a family was $39,792. Males had a median income of $28,646 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,775. About 5.7% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

History

Rices Landing is a small rural town located along the western bank of the Monongahela River, Approximately sixty miles South of Pittsburgh. One of the first visitors to the area was George Washington. Tale has it that in 1775, while he was traveling to Fort Duquesne, he and his men camped in this area.

In 1786, John Rice purchased land on the East side of Enoch's Run, and at about the same time, Abijah McClain purchased land on the West side. John Rice built the community he named Rices Landing, while Abijah McClain called his settlement Newport. In 1801, Benjamin Franklin mapped out the area and combined the two communities under the name Rices Landing. Enoch's run was renamed Swan Run before it eventually took the name it holds today, Pumpkin Run.

Rices Landing officially incorporated in April 1903. The availability of valuable resources such as trees, clay, sand coal and transportation allowed the community to thrive. Shops, trading posts, taverns, and other businesses once lined its busy streets. It was so prosperous, that it was regarded as the Gateway to Western Pennsylvania by frontier settlers.

Although things have quieted today, the residents still see their community as a charming and respectable community that was once the talk of the frontier world. It's not just the Monongahela that flows in these parts, but also a deep appreciation of history, a pride in the lovely countryside, and a wonderful sense of peace.

From the Rices Landing Centennial Celebration guide, 2003

Rices Landing is also the former home of US Olympic Wrestler and 4 Time State Champion Cary Kolat. Kolat is known as being one of the best wrestlers in history going 137-0 in High school, and 111-7 in College. Kolat won many international medals, and competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

File:RicesLandingPA.JPG

View from the Green River Trail.

Established in 1903 Rices Landing is a town rich in tradition. The center of industry in Rices Landing during the first and second world wars was the W. A Young and Sons Foundry and Machine Shop, which is still in existence today. The foundry was used to make many different items for the war effort and will undergo construction in the coming year. The town was also in the heart of the steel industry with many coal mines located in and around the town. Many of these mines and industry are no longer around, however other interesting things still exist in the town. Rices Landing is home to Pumpin Run Park which is a park owned and maintained by the borough. The park opens on Memorial Day and closes on Labor Day. The only restaurant located in the borough is the Riverwalk Cafe which is located in the old historical bank building downtown. Also located in the downtown area is the Greene River Bike and Walking Trail, which is a continuing project that has reached from Fredericktown to Crucible.

The Rice's Landing Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Government

Rices Landings local government is made up of five council members and the mayor of the town. Council members Charlotte Blaker (President) William Kozich, Brian Crockard, Thomas Teegarden, Barry Elliot. The town Mayor is Ryan Belski whom when elected in 2010 was the second youngest mayor in the United States and the youngest mayor in town history. The State Senator is Timothy Solobay(D) State Representative William Deweese(D) Congressman Mark Critz(D) and US Senator Pat Toomey(R)

Education

Rices Landing is a part of the Jefferson-Morgan School District, which is located on 1334 Jefferson Rd, Jefferson, Pa. The small, rural school offers one-on-one experience between students and teachers. Jefferson-Morgan consists of two schools: An elementary school ranging from grades k-6, and a middle and high school combined. The school colors are orange and black. In 2005, Jefferson-Morgan launched the campaign, "Classrooms for the future," which focuses on bringing technology to the classroom. The campaign allows teachers to use technology as a teaching tool to better prepare students for the real world. For more information call 724 883 2310.